Patent GB-692506-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a mechanism for folding a document over the edge of acard
IPC: B65H37/04
Filed: 1950-11-13
Abstract: 692,506. Folding paper. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Nov. 13, 1950 [Nov. 30, 1949], No. 27658/50. Class 100(i) [Also in Group XL(b)] A machine for folding a document over the edge of a car comprises feed rolls 45 driven by an electric motor 60, a carriage 17 for advancing a card 43 to the feed rolls, and casing members 102, 103 for supporting a document so that it is engaged at one side by the leading edge of the card 43 and moved with the latter between the feed rolls. The carriage 17 comprises a card-carrying plate 18 having an upwardly bent portion 22 connected by a spring 23 to the machine frame. A card retainer plate 24 is also connected to the portion 22, so that the card 43 may be fed between plates 18 and 24, Figs. 6, 7 (not shown). Supported by the carriage structure are rollers 26 co-operating with a cam 27. Beneath the plate 18 is a plate 30 attached to a bracket 33 which is provided with a stop 34 for engaging a stop bar 35. The plate 30 is also provided with a bracket 36 attached by a spring 38 to the portion 22. At its leading edge the plate 30 carries a blade 42. The document to be folded is placed against the casing members 102, 103 so that as the cam 27 rotates the carriage 17 is pushed forward together with the plate 30 until the stop 34 engages the stop bar 35, at which time the blade 42 has contacted and started to fold and push the document to a position just short of the feed rolls 45. Movement of the plate 30 and blade 43 is then stopped but the plate 18 and card 43 continue to move forward under the action of the cam 27 relative to the plate 30 so that the card contacts the document, and the card and document are pushed between the rollers 45, 46, and into a receptacle 47 the document being folded over the card. The apparatus is controlled photoelectrically, operation of the initial card positioning apparatus, the roller 45, 46, and cam 27, being under the control of the motor 60. To start the machine switch 180 is closed, and when the card is ready to be positioned between the plates 18 and 24 so-called 'last column contacts' are automatically closed energizing a relay R1 to close contact R1a to complete a holding circuit for the relay and energize a solenoid 143 which operates apparatus to position the card between the plates 18 and 24. When the card is positioned light from a bulb 176 falling on a photo-cell 177 is intercepted causing a gas filled valve 187 to conduct and make ready for energization a relay R4. A relay R3 in the circuit of a second gas filled valve 197 is energized by interruption of the light beam between a bulb 124 and cell 125 when a document is placed against the casing members 102, 103. Relay R3 then closes its contact R3a which completes a circuit to an electromagnet 117. The electromagnet 117 pulls a rod 114 connected to a hand guard 105 clear of the portion 22 over which it is latched and a spring 116 pulls the hand guard 105 into the dotted line position (Fig. 4) so that it closes a pair of contacts 121. Relay R3 also closes its contacts R3b to complete energization of the relay R4 which closes its contact R4a thus completing a holding circuit for the relay R4; energizing a relay R2 and energizing an electromagnet 90. The electromagnet 90 operates a clutch Fig. 2 (not shown) to connect the feed rolls continuously driven by the motor 60 through gearing to the shaft 28 of the cam 27. The apparatus then operates to fold the document over the card, whilst energization of the relay R2 causes it to open its contacts R2a, R2b to de-energize the relays R1, R3. As the portion 22 moves forward with the darriage 17 it engages the latch on the rod 114 and on its return carries the rod 114 with it so as to withdraw the hand guard 105 and open contacts 121 to de-energize the relay R4. The apparatus is then ready to receive another card.